Despite Macron victory, French opinion more divided than ever

But citizens and analysts say that despite Mr. Macron's clear victory in the second row of presidential elections, French opinion remains more divided than ever.

Today as they went to work, some French expressed nervousness, some high expectations, while others say they feel liberated after Emmanuel Macron's victory over his nationalist rival in the second round of presidential elections.

However, the number of eligible voters seems to be small.

“Many people do not feel represented”, says 63-year-old Jean Mouette, while adding that organising more urban gatherings, holding referenda and an open government to the opposition are some of the reforms needed to bring up the French electoral system.

Over a quarter of voters abstained, and with 41.4 per cent of the votes won by extreme rightist candidate Marine Le Pen, it appears that policies against foreigners and discontent with the system have become even more etched in French psychics, opinion and politics.

The difference between her and Mr. Macro's party is narrowing down. The Nationalist Party is growing. This means that the French are concerned about their lives, their purchasing power, and their security. This is normal and legitimate. But I think Mrs. Le Pen's platform is very extreme and divisive”, says Valerie Jacques, a music teacher.

Although she estimates the way the French president managed pandemic and war in Ukraine, 56-year-old says her vote for Mr. Macron was in fact a vote against LePen.

Director of Research Command I PSOS, Brise Teinturier, says Mr. Macron's victory with 58.54 per cent of the vote is an indication that French society is increasingly divided.

At the same time, we have a clear victory for Mr. Macron, especially knowing that he is the president in office -- but on the other hand we have over two million votes for Mrs. Le Pen, compared to 2017. It's an honorable loss. It's not humiliating”, he says.

The Le Pen family began competing in presidential elections in 1974, then Marine's father, Jean-Marie. But their doctrine that multicultural and multiracial France would be richer, safer and somewhat more French if it were less open to foreigners and the outside world, there has never been such great support.

Many, however, hope that in his second term, French President Macron will engage in more social justice, less poverty and wage increases an assessment for his leftist voters who voted Mr. Macron to defeat Miss Le Pen.

A powerful supporter of the entrepreneurial spirit, Mr. Macron facilitated employment regulations, layoffs, and limited benefits from unemployment. Critics accuse him of undermining the system that protected the employees.

But after spreading pandemic he acknowledged the importance of state intervention to help the economy and spent more public money in support of employees and businesses.

Macron aims to return his programme to domestic and foreign policy, but in June France faces significant parliamentary elections, where he will have to fight to preserve the majority in parliament.